Vacuum cup type work gripping means

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cup type of work gripping means such as is shown in FIG. 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,927 of Oct. 31, 1967, of Leland F. Blatt, the undersigned, characterized by the provision of a three-way valve in its supply line and further characterized by a novel arrangement of separate parts facilitating manufacture, assembly, and part replacement.

United States Patent 11113,568,959

[72] Inventor Leland F. Blatt [56] References Cited Grosse Pointe, Mich. (2412] Mound Road, n STATES PATENTS 8091) 2,200,800 5/1940 Miller 294/64 [21] 2 280 658 4/1942 Miller 294/64 [221 Filed 1969 3 181 563 5/1965 G'ffen 294/64x Patented Mar. 9 l 4.

[54] VACUUM CUP TYPE WORK GRIPPING MEANS (A & B), 65; 285/21; 248/206, 362, 363

Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant ExaminerDouglas D. Watts Attorney-Cullen, Sloman & Cantor PATENTEUMAR slam 3.568.959

sum iflF 2 INVENTOR LELAND BLATT ATTORNEYS ,PATENTJEDHAR m: 3.568.959

SHET 2 BF 2 SOURCE All? PRL-SSUAE SOURCE FIG-5 INVENTOR LELAND F. BLATT ATTORNEYS FURTHER DETAILED DESCRIPTION An embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the appended drawings. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 shows the assembly in top plan view.

FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view as if from the right of-FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows the parts with the three-way valve in position to evacuate the cup.

FIG. 5 shows the three-way valve shown in position to vent the cup through it.

FIGS. 1-5 show a vacuum cup means 10, an adapter means 11, and a support means 12, all relatively assembled as separate elements.

The cup means comprises a flexible vacuum cup 14 molded on a cylindrical sleeve 15 which is internally threaded for assembly to a threaded body part 16 o f the adapter means 11,

the latter having a squared head 17 providing aligned outwardly projecting flanges 18 adapted to be received in ways 20 formed by depending flanges 22 of the support means 12.

The latter has a horizontal venturi type passage 24 having end openings 25 and 26 and a side opening 27 communicating with the interior of the cup 14 through a bore 28 of the body 16.

In passage 24 is a venturi jet 29.

The adapter means 11 include as a part of the opposed inwardly directed flanges 22, opposed inwardly extending arcuate stops 30. Upon assembly of the cup and adapter including flanges 18 within the slot 20, the sleeve 15 is retainingly engaged by the arcuate stops 30.

The squared head 17 is retained in 43 and bolt 44, FIG. 3.

The above support means 12"additionally includes the formed ball end 31 and the transverse interiorly threaded bore 32 therethrough.

Elongated arm 33 may be adjustably mounted upon a transverse support 34 and secured thereon by the screw assembly 35, FIG. 2. t g

The arm 33 includes upon one side the cup-shaped recess 36 and the upright slot 37.

Fastening bolt 38 extends through spring washer 39 adjustably through the slot 37 and threads into the bore 32 for anchoring the support means 12 in a preselected angular position with respect to the arm 33.

By loosening the bolt 38, the ball end 31 of the support means which nests within the cup 36 may be angularly adplace by the swing plate 2 justed and thereafter secured in position by tightening the bolt 38.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an air pressure supply line 40 for opening 25, with a three-way valve 41 and a side port 42.

When the valve is in the position of FIG. 4, it connects the opening 25 to the air pressure source for evacuating the cup 14. On the other hand, when the valve 41 is turned as in the position of FIG. 5, it connects the opening 25 to atmosphere through port 42 and disconnects it from the air pressure source and in this way the interior of the cup vents to atmosphere not only through opening; 26 which is its normal venting opening but also through the opening 25 and the valve 41 and port 42. Because the vacuum cup now is vented through two openings as here shown, as contrasted from the venting of the vacuum cup through one opening only as in the construction of the prior patent, the" venting of the vacuum cup is speeded up with a consequent speedup of the release of the vacuum cup from the work panel W being gripped by it.

Now havingdescrlbed the vacuum cup means erein shown,

reference should be had'to the claims which follow,

I claim: l

1. A vacuum cup type of work gripping means comprising:

a. a cup means;

b. a support means for said cup means;

cQa venturi-type passage horizontally through said support means having openings at opposite ends and also having a vertical side opening;

d. said support means having parallel depending facing flanges defining, facing ways for removably receiving and mounting an adapter under it; i

e. an adapter having a depending body and a squared head providing aligned outwardly projecting flanges adapted to be received in the ways of the support means for removably mounting the adapter in the ways of the support means; with said body being of cylindrical form and having an external thread; and also having a bore communicating with the side opening of the support means; and

. said cup meansincluding a flexible cup and a cylindrical sleeve around which the cup is molded, with said sleeve being internally threaded for removably mounting the cup means on the adapter body and under it.

2. A vacuum cup type of work gripping means according to claim 1, and opposed arcuate inwardly directed stops on said flanges; said cylindrical sleeve bearing against said stops.

3. A vacuum cup type of work gripping means according to claim 1, and said support means including a ball shaped end and an axial threaded aperture therethrough;

a support arm having an arcuate socket adjustably receiving said ball shaped end;

there being a transverse elongated slot through said arm in registry with said socket;

a fastener extending through said arm slot and into said threaded aperture; and

friction means interposed between said fastener and said arm. 

1. A vacuum cup type of work gripping means comprising: a. a cup means; b. a support means for said cup means; c. a venturi-type passage horizontally through said support means having openings at opposite ends and also having a vertical side opening; d. said support means having parallel depending facing flanges defining facing ways for removably receiving and mounting an adapter under it; e. an adapter having a depending body and a squared head providing aligned outwardly projecting flanges adapted to be received in the ways of the support means for removably mounting the adapter in the ways of the support means; with said body being of cylindrical form and having an external thread; and also having a bore communicating with the side opening of the support means; and f. said cup means including a flexible cup and a cylindrical sleeve around which the cup is molded, with said sleeve being internally threaded for removably mounting the cup means on the adapter body and under it.
 2. A vacuum cup type of work gripping means according to claim 1, and opposed arcuate inwardly directed stops on said flanges; said cylindrical sleeve bearing against said stops.
 3. A vacuum cup type of work gripping means according to claim 1, and said support means including a ball shaped end and an axial threaded aperture therethrough; a support arm having an arcuate socket adjustably receiving said ball shaped end; there being a transverse elongated slot through said arm in registry with said socket; a fastener extending through said arm slot and into said threaded aperture; and friction means interposed between said fastener and said arm. 